Sally Hepworth can always be relied upon to write an amazing plot with well fleshed out characters and to always leave you wondering, even if just a little bit. In this book, Fern and Rose are sisters. Rose is the stable one who protects Fern from the world. She has a great job and is in a loving marriage. The only thing Rose doesn't have that she wants is a baby. Fern can give her one, and decides that she should. And this is where it really starts getting good. Because you start to wonder -- who is really the good sister?

Sally Hepworth knows how to write a good thriller! This book keeps you on your toes until the very end. I loved the different POVs and was not expecting the reveal at the end. Can't wait to read another book by this author.

The new domestic thriller by Sally Hepworth is a roller coaster of a read. It is the story of two sisters Rose and Fern. Outwardly very different but as the reader looks closer it becomes hard to tell where one sister ends and the other begins as the bondary lines of their relationship are so blurred. Told in alternating chapters by each of the sisters there are flashbacks to traumatic events and secrets of their childhood. The twists and turns propel this novel forward at a rollicking and pace until the final unexpected ending.

I loved this novel. The character development was wonderful. It sisters were so clearly described and their and it is clear the author took her time in creating them. I liked how their characters evolved and interacted with one another. I also enjoyed that the story was told in a series of flashbacks. It was interesting to see how the events of the past has shaped the characters in the present. But what I loved most about this novel were the twists and turns and surprises. Just when I thought I knew in which direction the story was headed, there would be a twist and sent it in a whole different direction. This is a hard novel to review because I really don't want to give anything away. The surprises are the best part. I read so many suspense and thrillers that it is hard to surprise me but this one did and I loved it.! This is one of the best domestic suspense thrillers I have read in a while and I will be recommending it to everyone I know!

I want to thank Net galley and St. Martin's Press with providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Twin sisters brought up by a single mum. Two very different complicated sisters, not only in appearance, but also in nature.

Rosie was the protector of her sister Fern while they were growing up. One year they spent their whole days in a library, while at night they jumped from house to house staying whom whoever the mother could find and befriend. Not an ideal childhood. Rose always thought Fern was the favourite. She was afraid of her mother’s moods and threats.

As adults Fern worked as a librarian, she suffered from Aspergers, and found it difficult to associate with other people. Loud noises, smells etc., would send her ‘off’. Rosie always came to the rescue, still the protector.

The story is written from both their perspectives, and an intricate and fascinating tale emerges. A quick read by an excellent author. There was some predictability in the story, but the end will keep you in suspense.

Wow! I was so impressed by how The Good Sister took me by surprise. I had ideas of what this book would be like after I read the synopsis and those ideas went out the window once I started reading the book. I found myself constantly re-analyzing where the story was going and trying to guess what direction it was going in.

This story is about Rose and Fern, sisters who are fraternal twins. Rose and Fern have always been very close and they have been inseparable since birth. As adults, they have slid into their respective roles. Fern is a quirky librarian always living up in the clouds. She has a hard time navigating the world and social situations and she depends a lot on her sister. Rose is the responsible sister who has her life together with her husband and home. She does everything she can to help and protect Fern. When Fern learns that her sister can't have a baby, she decides to help her sister. As things progress with the baby, the stress of the situation brings out a different side of Rose and Fern begins to sense that Rose is keeping major secrets from her.

As I read this book, I kept wondering why this book was categorized as a thriller. The first 75% of the book feels more like a family drama than a thriller. I really enjoyed it because the stories of Fern and Rose's childhood and their current lives were intriguing and captivating. The last quarter of the book went very fast and had more thriller elements incorporated into the story. It turned the corner very fast, and once it turned that corner, it had me on the edge of my seat.

There is a lot to unpack from this book, including themes about boundaries, co-dependent relationships, emotional abuse and manipulation, the struggles of neuro-diverse people, the unreliability of memories and unreliable narrators. This book had me on an emotional roller coaster. There were parts that broke my heart, parts that had me laughing out loud, parts that melted my heart, and parts that gave me heart palpitations. It's been a long time since I've read a thriller that knocked my socks off like this one did!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think The Good Sister is my favorite book by Sally Hepworth so far.

I loved Fern’s character and her relationship with Wally. They were so honest and straightforward, it was refreshing. Especially because I had just read Normal People where the characters just refused to speak their mind. I loved Fern’s outlook on life, and though she sometimes has to decipher the intentions of her coworkers and friends, she does an extraordinary job of managing her sensory issues in public. I laughed at the description of her walking around in swim goggles and noise-canceling headphones.

The pace slowed down a bit around 50%-75% of the way through the book. The reader can tell it’s building up to something but not what to. I had an inkling of the twist at the beginning, but SH did an awesome job of keeping the reader guessing until the end.

This is a real fast, easy read.... a 'domestic thriller' in category? It portrays 2 sisters, & their history & current lives (in alternating 'chapters')...& you wonder which is going to be the 'good sister.' One might be able to imagine this being turned into a 'made for tv movie' & shown during the day on Lifetime....it doesn't require too much personal investment, but does briefly capture your interest & provide quick, easy distraction! I liked that the author used 'sensory challenged' characters in some lead roles, & I thought they were cast in a positive light.
I received this complimentary e-ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley, in return for reading it & offering my own fair & honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and author Sally Hepworth for a digital copy of this fantastic read!


We have two close sisters, Rose and Fern, fraternal twins who as kids had to weather their mom's volatile behavior, her boyfriends and her cruelty. Rose has always seemingly been the caretaker to Fern, who appears to be on the Autism Spectrum scale with her exact ways and structured schedule both are now adults with their own lives. Fern works in a library, while Rose now married yearns for a child but is unable to conceive. Rose also has memories of her mother's cruelty that has scarred her, now as an adult she also remembers a night when a tragic accident occurred that involved Fern when they were kids, a secret she has always kept until now.
Knowing that Rose yearns for a child Fern formulates a plan to get pregnant and give her child to Rose and her husband but she needs to find the right candidate for such a plan and she meets "Wally." Wally is much like Fern in his outlook of life, they find much in common and perhaps he is on the spectrum scale as well with his quirky ways and the two become friends. Deciding to experience the fun of a first date with Wally, Fern also experiences the headiness of love and intimacy for the first time and ends up pregnant. As Rose discovers her sister's pregnancy with the knowledge that Fern will terminate her parental rights and give the baby to her, things begin to take a turn, Rose becomes forceful and possessive of her sister coercing her to end her relationship with Wally and keep the pregnancy hidden. Fern beginning to feel the stirrings of her baby for the first time contemplates whether her decision to give her baby to her sister isn't the best decision after all.
Without giving away more of the plot, this was an engrossing, you have to pick this one up kind of read which I really enjoyed. Recommended.

This is a very inventive and fast paced book. After you read so many books from this genre you start to figure out what is happening about mid way through the book. With this one I had multiple ideas about where it was leading because the author threw in enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing. I really loved Fern with all her idiosyncrasies and was so happy when Wally/Rocco came into her life. This book offers so much; it does an excellent job of taking the reader inside Fern’s mind as she struggles through each day, it shows the difficult relationship between sisters under the best (or worst) circumstances and the importance of friendship. I really loved it and look forward to reading more books by Sally Hepworth. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s press for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

They're as close as two sisters can be…

At 27, fraternal twins Rose and Fern lives are as different as chalk and cheese, but their bond has always been strong.

Rose is an interior designer, married, with a beautiful home that looks like something out of a magazine spread. She dearly wants a baby, but is having difficulty conceiving.

Fern works in a library, has only ever had one short-term boyfriend, and lives in a flat. She's on the autism spectrum, but has never been diagnosed.

When Fern discovers a bottle of pregnancy vitamins in Rose's belongings, she confronts her sister. Upon learning of her infertility struggles Fern is determined to help. If Rose can’t have the baby she longs for then Fern will carry one for her. It's the least she can do, after all her twin has done for her.

The Good Sister was the perfect blend of psychological suspense, domestic drama, and unhealthy family dynamics, and I devoured it. There is no way this won't make my 2020 top favourites list. This is Sally Hepworth's best book so far, I reckon. As other readers have mentioned (and I agree whole-heartedly) this novel had a lot in common with another of my 5 star reads – Eleanor Olyphant is Completely Fine. Fern's literal interpretation of her interactions with others and struggles to read social cues and situations made for adorably sweet and, at times, hilarious reading.

Savvy readers will have a fair idea where the thriller storyline is going, but what made this a tense, nail-biting read for me was the vulnerable and naïve nature of its central character being unaware of the impending danger and threat. I felt very protective towards Fern (as well as other characters, and a dog) and was rooting for her as she discovered and explored her newfound independence. The library is one of my happy places as well, so I completely understand why Fern felt so comfortable there. Another constantly present worry was me wondering how far the situation was going escalate, and the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. Talk about shocking – secrets and lies galore!

Chapters alternated between Fern in the present and Rose's diary entries, which also include flashbacks to the twins troubled childhood. The prevalent questions throughout are – what does it mean to be a good person, a good parent, and as the title states… a good sister?

I'd like to thank Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Sally Hepworth for the e-ARC.

I was so surprised and completely enjoyed this book throughout. The characters absolutely drew me in with their quirks and idiosyncrasies that more of us can identify with than not. The movement of the story was perfectly paced with so much to like... I laughed and cringed and was thoroughly entertained. I will read more from this author in a heartbeat and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this advanced copy and will gladly share my thoughts on other forums.

This psychological thriller has laugh out loud moments that keeps you turning the pages until the end. Fern is a twin sister to Rose, who is absentminded, has a processing disorder, single, and works as a librarian. Rose is an interior designer for office buildings, whose husband leaves her to work in London due to their strain on their marriage of not able to conceive. This book alternates between Fern and Rose from their point of view about their childhood, lives, and their point of views about each other. This book will keep you guessing and questioning until the end on who is the good sister? Definitely a must read!

This book was a thrilling page turner from beginning to the end. The buildup was executed extremely well. I kept going back and forth between the two sisters, unsure which one was "the good sister." I kept this up until I got to the middle of the story. Their character development was complex and the alternating povs were balanced really well in my opinion. Fern was very practical and logical, which you later on find out is just a carefully constructed mask. Well done!

Sally Hepworth has done it again! I was surprised throughout the entire book. I was truly honored and excited to receive an advanced copy of this book! There were so many twist and turns that it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Fern and Rose are twins but are polar opposites. Fern has sensory issues. Rose is a diabetic. Fern has always been single. Rose and her husband have been trying for a baby and can’t seem to get pregnant. But the one thing Fern and Rose have in common is that they would go to the end of the Earth to help each other out. So Fern comes up with a plan to have a baby for Rose. Fern is overly excited about doing this for Rose. Rose on the other hand has other ideas. Thank you so much St. Martins Press and Sally Hepworth for this advanced copy.

If you're looking for a psychological thriller, this is a good book for you! The story has you really "feeling" for the sisters and then there's a twist and the questions come at you fast. This is my first book by Sally Hepworth and she has hooked me! I will likely read her others. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed it. The characters were enjoyable and so was the storyline. The story was unique and not like one I've read previously. I was able to figure out pretty early on what was going on, but that did not affect my enjoyment of the book at all.

My Thoughts
This was a fantastic book. I haven’t read a thriller that actually thrilled me in a long time, so I was super excited that this one delivered what it promised! This is one of those books that I have to be very careful about what I say because I do not want to give anything away! I promise, no spoilers! Here are my pros and cons for The Good Sister:

Pros

1. This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on your toes.
2. The characterizations are phenomenal. I particularly loved Fern. Fern is likely on the spectrum (she has sensory processing issues) and her twin sister Rose has always been there to help and protect her sister. They were both well-developed characters.
3. Fern sees everything through rose-colored glasses. Rose is a realistic person who feels the need to protect Fern from dangers in the world that Fern simply cannot understand – particularly dangers from their own mother. However, not everything is as it seems and therein lies the awesomeness of this story!
4. The chapters alternate between Fern and Rose’s POV. Fern’s story is real-time/current, and Rose’s story is told via journal entries. It was an effective way of telling the story and an efficient way to depict how Rose and Fern’s perspectives differ regarding certain events.
5. There is a romance between Fern and a man she calls Wally. Their romance is sweet, original, and genuine and is a huge part of why I loved this book so much.
6. Fern works in a library and I love how much she loves books. I simply adore books that have anything to do with libraries.
7. The first half of the book is foundational as we learn about Rose and Fern’s past and present lives. You will likely start to figure out what is going on – or at least suspect – about midway through the book. The thrilling parts start at this point and even if you do figure out where the story is headed it doesn’t ruin the book because you are still rewarded with some amazing drama and shocking revelations. (Note: I thought I figured it out, and I was partially right, but the story is creative enough that I was still surprised by some of the things that happened by the end of the book.)
8. You will find the ending perfectly satisfying.

Cons
None.

Summary
This was a major page turner for me! I loved this book! I could say so much more about this novel, but I am being super conscious of what I am including in this review so that I do not give away the twists and turns and unintentionally ruin this book for anyone. Suffice it to say it is a must-read in my opinion and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great thriller filled with drama and dysfunctional family relationships.

By the way, I read and reviewed The Mother-in-Law by this author back in 2019 and I enjoyed that one as well. Sally Hepworth is becoming a must-read author for me. I think I need to go back and catch up on her other books!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Everyone knows sisters share a special bond - especially twin sisters, but the glue that ties Rose and Fern together is unlike anything you've ever heard of or read before. Rose is very protective of Fern, always watching out for her and her best interests. Rose is scatterbrained and tries hard to avoid any and all types of social interactions, but you know in a Sally Hepworth novel, not everything is as it seems.
I absolutely LOVED the character of Rose. Rose falls on the spectrum and is high functioning. I loved her relationship with "Wally".
This was a fast read with short chapters alternating in both Rose and Fern's perspective and both the past (focused on their childhood and sociopath mother) and the present. Very suspenseful. Highly recommend.

The story of two sisters, work, life and love, with snippets from the past. This book has a fantastic storyline. I was gripped from page one.
Love the author's writing style and will be looking out for more of her work.

This is a tale of two sisters that will have you on the edge of your seat. Fern and Rose are different as night and day but there's a tie that binds them together. Rose always takes care of Fern as she's often on the edge and doesn't adapt well to social situations. This tale is gripping at times and unpredictable. Quite a story as one twin tries to take what the other has. Full of suspense and hidden secrets from their youth. This is one book you don't want to miss. A true domestic thriller that I read as an arc via NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.